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AFT urges grant program to help municipal librarians earn master’s credential; bill would create statewide support
Summary
AFT Massachusetts testified in favor of S.931, which would create a grant program to help municipal librarians obtain a Master of Library Science credential; witnesses said no public institution in the commonwealth currently offers the MLS and named Simmons and University of Rhode Island as alternatives.
Mike Canavan, legislative representative for AFT Massachusetts, told the Joint Committee on Higher Education that Senate Bill 931 would create a grant program to help municipal librarians obtain the Master of Library Science credential — a professional requirement for many public library positions.
Canavan said no public institution in Massachusetts currently offers an MLS program and described the cost barrier for working librarians seeking graduate credentials. “We represent over 25,000 public employees… and that's what brings me here today in support of Senate Bill 9 31,” he said.
He noted that some librarians must attend private programs (Simmons) or out‑of‑state options (University of Rhode Island) and that the absence of an in‑state public pathway restricts access for municipal employees who cannot afford a $50,000 graduate program. Canavan said the union will submit written testimony from municipal library staff describing credentialing challenges.
Committee members asked whether any of the 29 state campuses offer related bachelor’s programs; Canavan said he would follow up with that information. No committee vote was recorded at the hearing.
